journal article·2026-02-05Open access

Comparative Study of a Short-Term Assessment of Corrosion Initiation Behavior of Steel Reinforcement in Cementitious vs. Alkali-Activated Fly Ash Geopolymer Binders

Andreea Hegyi, Alexandra Csapai, Adrian-Victor Lăzărescu, Claudiu-Sorin Dragomir, Tudor Toader, Bradut Ionescu, Mihail Chira, Carmen Florean, Horatiu Vermesan, Gyorgy Thalmaier, Florin Popa, Radu Fechete, Marta-Ioana Moldoveanu

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 3

Abstract

The long-term durability and structural integrity of modern buildings, which are inherently reliant on reinforced concrete, are governed by the rate of corrosion of embedded steel reinforcement. Corrosion kinetics, therefore, is not merely an academic exercise, but rather a critical foundation for predicting and extending a structure’s life span, mitigating safety risks, and ensuring the sustainability of the built environment against a host of environmental and chemical degradation factors. The present study conducts a comparative analysis of the short-term corrosion initiation behavior of steel reinforcement embedded in three distinct types of geopolymer binders, a cementitious paste, and a cementitious composite with natural aggregates. Electrochemical techniques, such as Open Circuit Potential (OCP) and linear polarization tests were used to characterize the behavior of the steel reinforcement embedded in the 4 types of samples. Additionally, these samples containing the reinforcement were further characterized using advanced microstructural techniques, specifically porosimetry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Concrete Corrosion and Durability · Concrete and Cement Materials Research · Corrosion Behavior and Inhibition

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

National Institute for Research & Development URBAN-INCERC, 266 Soseaua Pantelimon, 021652 Bucharest, Romania

Faculty of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 103–105 Muncii Boulevard, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

EUT+ Institute of Nanomaterials & Nanotechnologies-EUTINN, European University of Technology, European Union

Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, 28 Memorandumului Street, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Funding

Romanian Government Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization

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